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Friday, April 1, 2011

Don't Hate Me For What I Have To Say - I Just Hate April Fools Day!

I could say April Fools! I really love this day. But, that would not be true. It's April Fools Day! Did you have some fun today? Did you fill up the salt and pepper shakers with cayenne instead? Did you loosen the lid on the milk carton to watch an unsuspecting family member pour milk aimlessly over the entire kitchen floor? Did you come up with a doozy?

I never have enjoyed this particular day of revelry. Perhaps my personality is simply too serious and realistic. Or, maybe I don't see laughter among pain caused when you play someone for a fool. Maybe I am over the edge and simply need to lighten up on this one. But, this has got to be the worst holiday ever thought up, in my humble opinion. What other holiday allows you to play jokes on someone making them out to be foolish? What other holiday allows you to out right "lie" in the name of a day. I'm paying off all of your debt - April Fools! Look, you get a raise - April Fools! You're the most beautiful girl I've ever laid eyes on? Really! No! April Fools! Hah hah the joke's on you! What kind of fun is found in such cruelty?

When I read the Bible, it tells me that anyone who calls his fellow man a fool is guilty of the fires of hell. Specifically, it's from Matthew 5:22 -

But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca, ' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

This same Bible has a commandment (one of the Top 10) that says "Thou Shalt Not Lie!"

O.K., O.K., I get it! April Fools Day is not all that serious. Put on a happy face and buck up and just have some good, clean innocent fun! Somehow the day still bothers me. Where did it come from? Who originated April Fools Day?

The best anyone can tell the day either has to do with a Gregorian calendar change, switching the date of January 1, or a Roman celebration to the god Attis. Neither description endears me or encourages me to embrace the day of laughter.

No, I'm not going to get all up in your case if you choose to take one day out of the year to laugh or play a few practical jokes. I'm just sayin' the day never made sense to me. In fact, I sort of hate the entire idea.

The same Bible that talks of lying and fools as something distasteful to the Creator God I believe in, also talks about how He desires to put laughter in our hearts. He says He will change our mourning to laughter. He tells me that joy comes in the morning. Laughter is even referred to as good medicine. In fact, there are over 30 scriptures refering to laughter listed here alone.

Play your April Fool's Day jokes if you please, It is not my intent to dampen the fun of your day. Even if your joke is on me! I'm no different. I'm no superior sinless act of creation pointing my no-no finger at those who celebrate the day. But, I'll never see the joy or find laughter in making those I love look stupid. I'll spend my April Fools Day trying to find ways to encourage instead.